Turning to trudge back to the palace, she paused mid-step when she found Razik sitting next to the fire. His knee was bent, arm resting atop it while he leaned back on his other hand. Had he sat here this entire time? “What are you doing?” she asked dryly, her sword hanging loosely at her side. “Thinking about my cave at home.” She blinked, unsure of what to say to that. “Are you …talking about your study?” He huffed a humorless laugh. “No, although I have some of my most valuable volumes at my cave.”
